England will stage their attempt to save the second Test against South Africa with key bowler Matthew Hoggard (pictured) insisting they are determined to end 2004 on a high.

Michael Vaughan's men resume the third day on 30 without loss, still 163 runs adrift after allowing South Africa to reach 332 with Jacques Kallis scoring a brilliant 162. History suggests Test wickets at Kingsmead get better to bat on, but Yorkshire seamer Hoggard last night claimed their unbeaten run in 2004 - including a record run of eight successive Test wins - is motivating them to bounce back.

"It would be very disappointing to lose in the last game of the year," admitted Hoggard, who finished with three for 58, including the prized wicket of Kallis.

"It would be a big motivation for us, but we don't want to lose any Test match and we'll be coming back tomorrow with plans for batting all day. Hopefully we can set them a target in their second innings and put them under pressure.

"If you look at the average partnerships per wicket from day one to the fourth innings here they gradually increase and history says the wicket gets easier-paced and runs are easier to come by.

"I don't think it will be hard to bat on in the last innings. History tells you partnerships here increase right up to the last innings so we've got to produce a big batting performance and create a total to bowl at."

Hoggard also admitted the loss of Ashley Giles' left-arm spin - he failed to take the field yesterday after suffering back spasms during England's innings on the opening day - had hindered hopes of finishing South Africa's innings quickly.

"Not having Ashley was a big blow to us because he would have bowled 20 to 30 overs from one end so it was another 20 overs we had to share around four guys," he explained.

"It took a lot of energy out of us but I thought everybody stuck to their task well."

Kallis' innings took his tally for 2004 to 1,278 - a South African record for runs in a calendar year - after hitting 21 fours and a six.

He rates his display as good as any since scoring his maiden Test century against Australia seven years ago.

"The one I rate as number one is the one I got against Australia - the first one is always a special one, but this one is right up there and I really enjoyed it," he said.

"At 118 for six I think we would have taken 332.

"A lot of credit has to go to our lower order because they did really well. When they got a few bumpers it was nice to see them stay in line and show guts and determination."

He added: "It was hugely important to come back in this Test because if we go 2-0 down it would basically be series over and it puts a lot of pressure on for the remaining Tests.

"It's crucial we go 1-1. Perhaps we let ourselves down a little bit tonight by not landing the ball enough in the right area and maybe that can act as a wake-up call for tomorrow."

Trescothick and Strauss did well to survive 11 overs yesterday. But England know they will probably have to bat for the best part of the next two days if they are to have any chance of saving the Test.